Food and Beverage Carrier

ABSTRACT

A disposable food and beverage carrier is disclosed. The food and beverage carrier is formed from a food carrier slidingly received on a handle portion of a beverage carrier. Beverage containers are placed in the beverage carrier and the food carrier is placed thereon. The food carrier compromises a generally rectangular enclosure for receipt of food items. After assembly of the food carrier onto the beverage carrier, a unitary structure is formed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of portable, disposable carriers for food and beverages for use at restaurants, concessions stands at events, convenience stores or other locations where food and beverages are dispensed to customers. In particular, the present invention is directed to an improved carrier for food and beverage containers that provides a strong, durable and rigid carrier for safely transporting food and beverage containers.

Disposable food and beverage carriers of various designs and configurations are known in the prior art. The prior disposable carriers comprise various configurations, all of which suffer from various defects. The primary object of the present invention is to overcome these defects by providing an inexpensive yet rigid and stable carrier for food and beverage containers. Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier that is easy to assemble and use by persons dispensing food and beverages at the point of sale or distribution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disposable food and beverage carrier comprising:

-   -   a. A beverage carrier comprising a top plane and a bottom plane         disposed generally parallel to each other, a plurability of         generally axially aligned through holes in the top plane and the         bottom plane and a handle portion generally aligned         perpendicular to the top plane and bottom plane;     -   b. A food carrier fabricated in a generally flat configuration         comprising a bottom portion and side walls wherein the side         walls are extended upward from the flat configuration to form a         generally rectangular enclosure;

Wherein the food carrier comprises a slot adapted to be slidingly received on the handle portion of the beverage carrier so that the unitary structure of the food and beverage container is formed when the food carrier is placed onto the handle portion of the beverage carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of the food and beverage carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the food and beverage carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the beverage carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the beverage carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the beverage carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the food carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cut-away elevation view of the food carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away elevation of the food carrier of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention

The present invention will now be described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The food and beverage carrier 10 is illustrated in the drawings. The food and beverage carrier 10 is disposable and it is contemplated that it will be fabricated from cardboard or other like material. The food and beverage carrier 10 comprises two primary components. The first is the beverage carrier 12. The second is the food carrier 14. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the food carrier 14 is adapted to fit onto the beverage carrier 12 to form a unitary assembly of the carrier 10.

The beverage carrier 12 as manufactured is illustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the beverage carrier 12 in its unassembled state. The beverage carrier 12 comprises a base portion 16 and a handle portion 18. The handle portion extends upward from the base portion 16 when the food and beverage carrier 10 is expanded and assembled for use.

The base portion 16 is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a bottom plane 20 and a top plane 22 with side walls 21. The bottom plane 20 and the top plane 22 are generally parallel when the carrier 10 is assembled. The bottom plane 20 and the top plane 22 each comprise a plurality of through holes 24 which generally axially align when the carrier is opened from its manufactured state. The through holes 24 are adapted to receive a beverage container 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The handle portion 18 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The handle portion 18 comprises an elongated opening 28. The elongated opening 28 allows a user to place their fingers therein to allow for easy transportation of food and beverages in the carrier 10. A foldable tab 30 is disposed in the elongated opening 28. Upon assembly of the carrier 10, the foldable. tab 30 is folded into the upward position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The purpose of the tab 30 is for the comfort of the user so that the elongated opening 28 does not place excessive pressure on the fingers or hand when the food and beverage items are transported during use.

The food carrier 14 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG. 6 illustrates the food carrier 14 as manufactured in its unassembled state. The food carrier 14 is generally rectangular in shape. The food carrier 14 comprises a bottom portion 31 and side walls 32. When the side walls 32 of the food carrier 14 are extended upward, a generally rectangular open enclosure 33 is formed. Food items can be placed in the open enclosure 33 for transport. The food carrier 14 further comprises a slot 34 with a removable tab 36. When first assembled, the tab 36 is in a downward position as shown in FIG. 7 and is then rotated upward as shown in FIG. 8. The slot 34 is adapted to receive the handle portion 18 of the base during assembly of the carrier 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In use, the beverage carrier 12 is first unfolded and one or more beverage containers 16 are placed in the through holes 24 therein. The food carrier 14 is unfolded and placed over the handle portion 18. The food carrier 14 will rest on the top of the beverage containers 16. Food items will then be placed in the enclosure 33 in the food carrier 14. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable food and beverage carrier comprising: c. A beverage carrier comprising a top plane and a bottom plane disposed generally parallel to each other, a plurability of generally axially aligned through holes in the top plane and the bottom plane and a handle portion generally aligned perpendicular to the top plane and bottom plane; d. A food carrier fabricated in a generally flat configuration comprising a bottom portion and side walls wherein the side walls are extended upward from the flat configuration to form a generally rectangular enclosure; Wherein the food carrier comprises a slot adapted to be slidingly received on the handle portion of the beverage carrier so that the unitary structure of the food and beverage container is formed when the food carrier is placed onto the handle portion of the beverage carrier.
 2. The food and beverage carrier of claim 1 wherein the handle portion has a slot therein for use in transporting the carrier.
 3. The food and beverage carrier of claim 2 wherein the slot in the food carrier has a movable tab disposed therein. 